Best Bet – (1) CYCLONE JOE – Race 11
Spot Play – (6) BLUE MONK – Race 4
20-Cent Pick 5 – Race 1: ALL/1,5/1,4/6/2,4 = $11.20
20-Cent Early Pick 4 Race 3: 1,4/6/2,4/1,3,5 = $2.40
20-Cent Late Pick 4 Race 8: 1,3,6/1,4,5/5,6/1 = $3.60
Race 1 – (5) POPLAR ARTIE was game in defeat last time now he gets driver Kelly back tonight. I’ll take a shot with him in a wide-open race to kick off the Pick 5. (3) TOJENNIFERSCREDIT tripped out last week and blew up the tote board. He can get a similar trip here and he is a contender. (2) DRAMA LLAMA steps up off a sharp win and he is another possibility in a race that could come down to trip.
Race 2 – (1) MASTER SMILE was a winner last time he drew the rail and Macdonald drove and tonight he also races off the Riley claim; top call. (5) BAROSSA BLUE GENES is always in the hunt at this level and tonight he picks up aggressive driver Kelly; using in the Pick 5. (4) COOL ROCK should be coming on late to get another share here.
Race 3 – (1) LUCKY PROMESSES faces easier, draws best and gets a driver change to Hensley here. Sharp improvement is expected tonight. (4) BL SUPER SALLY has a better chance tonight dropping back down in class and getting Robert Shepherd back in the bike. (6) ASA ONAMISSION is another that should improve at this level; consider for the exotics.
Race 4 – (6) BLUE MONK returns from a break sporting two qualifiers where he flashed good late speed and he gets top call vs. this group. (8) NOTYOURTYPICALMAN raced better in his second start back now he gets Sorrie. He has upset possibilities despite drawing widest. (5) FINN T SEELSTER got everything his own way last time and he failed to seal the deal. I’m inclined to try to beat him here.
Race 5 – (2) REVOLVER N drops into his easiest local spot yet and he draws perfectly; now or never? (4) SILVER BEAST is the other Mohawk Park shipper and he should be a threat in this spot; using. (1) HUNTER HILL is another one that figures to improve here but I prefer to use him underneath.
Race 6 – (5) FRONTIER CRUISE had an impossible trip last week and he just kept advancing. I like him in this spot and expect a more aggressive steer this time. (3) A GAME CHANGER wasn’t far behind the choice and he is in with a chance getting his nose back on the gate to start. (1) ZEKE THE FREAK should leave quickly and if he lands in the pocket, he is another one in with a chance. (4) THE DEVIL YOU KNOW is one that I am inclined to try to beat coming off a loss at 4 to 5 when he failed to hit the board. (8) CAPTAIN RAY showed good gate speed last week and he can get a piece of this with a similar approach.
Race 7 – (6) OUTLAWGRABBINGEARS was dead game last week despite getting a rough trip and he is strictly the one to beat tonight. (5) JAY EYE EM is in solid form and he should be the choice’s main rival here. (1) BEACHIN LINDY steps up off a win one class lower and from the rail he must be considered for the Tri.
Race 8 – (1) RED HOT TORCH has a strong record this year and starting from the rail I’ll give him top billing in this field. (6) NORTHERN TAILWIND was relentless winning at London and while he will need to be faster here, he isn’t without a chance. (3) YOUCOULDBETHATGIRL raced well at this level here last week and she’s worth a look for the late Pick 4.
Race 9 – (1) BIG MACH N is razor-sharp right now and with the move up in class he could provide some late Pick 4 value. I’ll go price shopping with him. (4) HES GOT SWAGGER drops and he should be more aggressive vs. these. He’s hard to leave off late Pick 4 tickets. (5) TOOT TOOT N comes off a game try and he is another who can win this competitive dash.
Race 10 – (6) CASEYS DRAGON is sharp as a tack right now and he needs only a slightly easier trip tonight to visit the winner’s circle. (5) HP I GOT TOPLAY is obviously in a much better spot here and he should be a threat facing easier. (8) PRINCE ADAIR parlayed a golden pocket trip into a win over the choice last time. Starting from out there makes tonight task tough; using underneath.
Race 11 – (1) CYCLONE JOE takes a substantial class drop here and he should be looking to go right down the road. (2) FREDDY BEAR figures to get another good trip here and he could be a pocket rocket in the lane. (6) PAPARAZZI HANOVER is another who faces easier and he should get put into this race early although the choice may force him to take a seat. I’d demand a price. (5) TASTE OF HISTORY had no luck at Mohawk Park after shipping east. He can improve enough to land a spot in this High-5. (3) ROCK N BO comes off a sharp try and he should be good for a small share tonight.
Photo by John Watkins
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Garnet Barnsdale is a veteran handicapper, bettor and racing writer who has worked as an analyst for DRF Harness for the past five years. He is also the current President of the Canadian Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association.
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